Could ‘Alien: Isolation’ Be the Rebirth of a Horror Icon?

The Alien series has been one of those mishandled franchises that has been continuously kicked around and abused for decades. Still, hope rises anew, even in the face of great adversity and scorn. Though the chance to see sequels to the films seems more or less dead, especially after the critically panned Prometheus, the multi-mouthed monstrosity is looking to make itself a major player in the world of video games with the highly anticipated first person horror game, Alien: Isolation.

Brought to life by veteran game developer Creative Assembly, well known to PC gamers for their multiple iterations in the Total War series, Isolation is being promoted as a pure survival horror experience.

Right off the bat, this is not in any way shape or form related to the universally detested Aliens: Colonial Marines. No, Alien: Isolation has in fact been in development much longer than Gearbox’s failed first person shooter.

Taking place 15 years after the events of Ridley Scott’s Alien, Isolation follows Amanda Ripley, who is investigating the unexplained disappearance of her mother, Ellen Ripley, and the destruction of the Nostromo. Learning that the Nostromo’s flight recorder was discovered, Amanda travels with a small crew to a massive space station called Sevastopol, where the recorder is being kept. Unbeknownst to her and the crew she is traveling with; an Alien is aboard the station and has been methodically killing off the inhabitants.

As previously stated, Isolation is being sold as a survival horror game with a big emphasis on the survival. Don’t go in thinking you’ll be picking up a pulse rifle with a plasma grenade attachment. While most video games have featured multiple Aliens, Isolation has only one. This Alien, much like the one seen in the original film, is not there to soak up gunfire like the ones in explosion heavy sequel. No, the Alien cannot be killed by the player. In order to avoid the creature, which actively hunts you throughout the campaign by learning your gameplay behavior, the implementation of stealth tactics and distractions are absolutely necessary to survive.

Outside of the Alien itself, players will come across the remaining survivors of the space station who have formed small bandit-like groups in order to survive the Alien’s ferocious appetite for death and dismemberment. Perhaps even more terrifying than then Alien and roving bands of marauders are the bright eye synthetics that stalk the halls. Much like the Alien, the androids are actively hunting anyone left on the station. If there pale ill-fitting skin isn’t creepy enough, one long stare into their lidless eyes will make anyone want to encounter the 7-foot tall monster that prowls the air ducts.

Isolation’s choice to return to the franchise horror roots is being embraced as a welcomed one. The game’s environments are obviously reminiscent of the first film, and even the technology and equipment seen in the 1979 looks as if it was perfectly recreated in the game. Motion tracker? Check. Flamethrower? Check. Bobbing water bird? Check. That’s pretty much all you need to survive against a monster with giant penis head, right?

Even with all the glowing previews from critics and lucky gamers able to get their hands on the hotly anticipated game, the Internet seems to have already deemed Alien: Isolation an inevitable failure. Why? Well, because Aliens: Colonial Marines, which was made by a completely different studio, was bad. Oh, yes. The Internet, known for its invaluable insight, can never be wrong once it delivers its loud, whiny message to the masses. Look, a healthy amount of skepticism is never a bad thing, but to be so opinionated about something you haven’t played or seen is just so ridiculously stupid. Look, we’ve all made statements about movies and games before we ever watched or played them. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of it in the past many times, but with such good word of mouth, and a plethora of previews and interviews with the developers of the game, Alien: Isolation is looking to be one of the best games of 2014.

As of right now, I’m eagerly anticipating Isolation’s release, and implore the OneOfUs.net community to at least watch some of the truly heart pumping demos available online. Alien: Isolation will be released on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One on October 7.

What about you reader? Does Alien: Isolation look like the Alien game you’ve always wanted? Let us know in the comments below!

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While braving the snow-swept wasteland of Buffalo, New York for 18 long years, Christopher Herman developed a love for geek culture. A child of the 90s, he was raised on the valuable lessons taught by Batman: The Animated Series, Hey Arnold and Animaniacs. Eventually discovering a passion for movies, books, comics and video games, Chris began hoarding his knowledge of geekdom. Whether it’s Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Mass Effect, Firefly or Avatar: The Last Airbender, he’s always willing to discuss the intricate worlds and stories of geek properties. Chris currently resides in San Marcos, TX.